Automatic disk cutter



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AUTOMATIC DISK cur-ran Filed wa 16, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS lzarry flair] Email/Karin July 13, 1948. H. DAHL EI'AL AUTOIATIC DISK CUTTER Filed Ilay 16. 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORJ llarrg fluid July 13, 1948. H. DAHL ETAL 7 [AUTOMATIC DISK cu'r'nin Filed May 16, 1945 Y SSheets-Sheet 4 :MOV. A .C.

INVENTORS Harry .Da hl BY [rnzslM/Yaeiner HTTORNEY July 13, 1948. DAHL EIAL I AUTOMATIC nrsx curmn Filed May 16. 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS ATTORNEY Patented July 13, 1948 AUTOMATIC msx cu'r'rsa Harry Dahl and Ernest William Huebner, Indianapolis, Ind., assig'nors to P. R. Mallory & 00., Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of Dela- Application May 16, 1945, Serial No. 594,114

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates toautomatic machines, and has particular reference to means and method of cutting a work member.-

An object of this invention is to provide an improved machine for cutting a work member, and methods associated therewith;

Another object is to provide an automatic machine for assuring penetration of a tool through a work member; and

A further object is to provide automatic means for varying the speed of rotation of a rotary cutting tool,

Other objects'will be apparent from the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view, in partial section, as on line 2-2of Figure 1, of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is schematic illustration of the cam system of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an illustration of the cutting wheel and work assembly, in vertical section as on line 4--4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5. is an illustration of the assembly of Figure 4' in vertical section as on line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an illustration of the assembly of Figure 4 in horizontal section as on line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a perspective of a work supporting arm and rest, shown also in Figures 2, 4, and 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective of an assembly from the machine of the previous figures, operable to change the "bodily movement of the cutting wheel relative to the work;

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the electrical testing circuit which determines the need of, and actuates, operation of the unit of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a side elevation of a cutter speed change device;

Figure 11 is a front elevation, in partial section as on line I l-ll, of-the device of Figure 10; and

Figure 12 shows an alternate testing circuit, similar to that shown in Figure 9.

This invention provides many advantages particularly as embodied in the machine used as an illustration in the accompanying specification and drawings:

When the machine is used to cut stock to length it assures that each cut will completely sever the stock, and in addition, will thereafter smooth off the out faces,

The stock may be any desired material with a suitable cutting tool. For the purpose of illustration, reference is made to cutting tungsten rod.

The rod may be fed to work position without retraction since the supporting arm and rest are movable to permit the workpiece to drop away after severance.

The portion of the rod being 'cut may readily be flooded with coolant or lubricant because the top of the rod supporting rest is open.

The cutting wheel is provided with long work life since it is operated with uniformity of control force and speed at maximum cutting efilciency and since the machine designpermits efliciency in work cooling and lubrication.

The wear on the cutting wheel is uniform since the wheel is advanced against the work throughout its side cutting surface on each cutting cycle. No steps are left in the sides of the wheel.

The peripheral speed of the cutting wheel is automatically increased as the wheel wears down.

The finished workpieces are held to relatively close tolerance due to the operational uniformity and efliciency of the machine.

The machine is automatically stopped when the cutting wheel is worn down or when the work stock achieves a given minimum length.

Further advantages will be apparent from the following specification and claims, and the accompanying'drawings.

The machine of the drawings illustrates this invention and comprises:

As in Figures 1 and 2, a supporting base I, and a main body 2 mounted on base I, having various uprights and supports thereon on which the operational portions of the machine'are mounted.

Upright 3 supports the main drive motor 4 which drives the cutting wheel 5, normally a rubber bonded carborundum wheel although others may be used,.through the wheel shaft 6 mounted in-shaft housing I, The motor 4 is connected to the wheel shaft 6 by drive belt 8, running on pulleys 9 and l0. The wheel 5 is mounted for bodily swinging motion, toward and from the work, about the shaft II as an axis, through frame I2 which is swingably mounted on upright 3 through shaft II. Wheel shaft housing 1 is a part of frame I2.

Upright I3 supports secondary drive motor l4 which drives cam shaft I5 through drive belt l6 mounted on pulleys I! and I8. Cam shaft I5 mounts four cams, I9, 20, 2|, and 22, see Figure 3. These cams are all fixed on cam shaft I5 and a single rotation of each defines the completion of one cutting cycle by cutting wheel *5. All cams rotate clockwise as indicated by arrow 23, Figure 3.

Cam I9 operates the of Figure 9.

Cam 20 operates spring arm 24, Figures 2, 4, 6, 7, and 9, through shaft 25, arm 26 pivoted on body 2 at 21, shaft 28, bell crank lever 29, and pin 30. This shaft and lever system is adjustable electrical testing circuit 3 through bolt 3| mounted in bell crank 29 and engaging shaft 28.

Cam 2| operates spring clamp 32, Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, through shaft 33, arm 34 pivoted on body 2 at 35, and shaft 36.

Cam 22 provides swinging action of frame l2 and wheel 5, see Figure 8, through'arm 31, frame 38, shaft 39, sprocket wheel 48 and chain 4|, against the action of spring 42, Figure 2.

A tungsten rod 43, Figure 1, rests on a platform 44, and is urged to fresh work position before wheel by bracket 45 engaging the tungsten rod end. Bracket 45 is constantly urged against tungsten rod 43 by its connection with weight 48 through cable 41 over wheel 48 which is pivotally mounted at 49 on support 50.

See Figures 4-7. The tungsten rod 43 has its inner end located in cutting position between two uprights 5| and 52, also between which cutting wheel 5 rotates when in cutting position. Wheel guide arms 53 and 54 are mounted on upright 5| and provide wheel guide faces 55 and 55 which keep wheel 5 in proper cutting alignment. A guide and support bearing 5|- and a vertically adjustable block 58 position the rod 43 before the cutting wheel 5. Block 58 has a V-groove 59 in which rod 43 rests.

The thickness dimension of the cut-off tungsten rod end is controlled by adjustment of stop screw 88, against the inner, reduced end of which the tungsten rod 43 is abutted. Stop screw 88 is electrically insulated from the body of the machine by insulation block 6 I, see Figure 9.

Suitable coolant or lubricant gets 62 are positioned to flood the wheel and tungsten rod end during the cut-off operation.

Spring arm 32 normally engages the top of the tungsten rod 43, pressing it into V-slot 59. When rod 43 is to be moved to fresh cutting position, cam 2|, as previously indicated, operates to temporarily lift spring arm 32 and permit rod 43 to be again moved against stop screw 88.

Spring rest arm 24 is for the greater part of the cutting cycle held, as in Figures 4 and 6, so that the rest 83 is located below the tungsten rod end and in supporting-relation therewith during the cutting operation. Arm 24 isso held through the action of cam 28, as previously indicated. The action of cam 20 is to hold arm 24 as in Figure 6 during the cutting operation and for a brief period after rod 43 has been severed so that continuing operation of the wheel 5 will smooth the cut faces of rod 43. Then cam 28 operates to allow arm 24 to spring away from the wheel 5 and the cut-off piece of tungsten rod drops away from the cutting position, -making way for movement of rod 43 to fresh cutting position against screw 30. Thus the feeding movement of rod 43 is linearly unidirectional, no retraction being necessary to permit removal of the cut off piece.

As in Figure 9, cam 9 operates an electrical testing circuit the function of which is to determine the amount of radial Wear in the cutting wheel 5 and to actuate the wheel swing adjustment mechanism of Figure 8.

Specifically, cam l9 actuates a microswitch 64 at a point in the cutting cycle as indicated by line 65, Figure 3, before the wheel swing cam 22 reaches its high point of operation. The electrical circuit is supplied with power from a 110 AL C. source, through transformer 88. One side of the transformer secondary is directly grounded and the other is led to ground through microswitch 64, solenoid 81, pin 60, and the tungsten rod 43.

.To operate solenoid 61 the circuit must be made through the microswitch 84 and also through the tungsten rod 43. sufficient distance in its cutting action, the tungsten rod 43 is completely severed at the time the cam l8 closes microswitch 64 and solenoid 51 is not actuated. If the swing of wheel 5 is insuflicient, the circuit will be made through the uncut portion of the tungsten rod 43 when microswitch 84 is closed and solenoid 81 actuated. Since cam 22 is then only operating at line 65, the cut off cycle is continued and the tungsten severed as usual. However, the test circuit has indicated that the next cutting swing of the wheel 5 may be insufiiclent to sever the tungsten, so the adjustment mechanism of Figure 8 is set in operation through the actuation of solenoid 61.

As in Figure 8, cam 22 rotates in a clockwise direction with arm 31 following its contour through roller 68. Variation in the contour of cam 22 thus turns shaft 38 about its longitudinal axis and imparts the same turning motion to the frame 38 which is fixed to shaft 39. Such turning of shaft 33 causes sprocket wheel 48, fixed thereto, to turn and take up or release chain 4|, thus bodily swinging wheel 5 as previously described. Gear 69, fixed on the other end of the shaft 39 and in mesh with worm gear I0, turns with shaft 39. Gears 69 and 18 remain in mesh at all times and are moved bodily together about shaft 39 as an axis, by arm 31, with no change in their gearing relation.

When, however, the position of the arc of swing of wheel5 is to be changed, worm gear H1 is rotated, turning gear 39 and taking upon chain 4|, thus causing wheel 5 to approach the tungsten rod so that the normal cam actuated swing of the wheel will then be enough to sever the tungsten. This is accomplished in the following manner:

Gear II is fixed on the same shaft as war gear 18, and is operable to turn gear 18. The unit comprising gear 12, meshed with gear 1|, plate 13, and ratchet I4 is pivoted to frame 38 on shaft 15 and the gear and ratchet are fixed together and turn as a body with shaft I5 Plate I3 turns on shaft 15. Thus turning of ratchet wheel 14 varies the bodily swing position of wheel 5. Ratchet wheel I4 is engaged by spring drawn pawl 16 which is mounted on plate 13.

Plate 13 has two freely hanging shafts l1 and 18 mounted on bail and socket joints l9 and 80. As cam 22 tips frame 38 and plate I3 together, shafts 11 and 18, are dropped down. Shaft 18 passes through pivoted solenoid plate 8| and has fixed sleeves 82 and 83 thereon above and below plate 8| so plate and shaft move together. Shaft extends through body plate 84 and has a fixed sleeve 85 thereon so that shaft 11 may be lifted only until sleeve 85 contacts body plate 84. See also Figure 1.

The action is this-when solenoid 81 is actuated it is always at a time when shafts TI and I8 are moving downward. The solenoid pulls plate 8| down and shaft I8 with it, causing plate 13 to be turned in a clockwise manner and pawl 18 to drop back to a different tooth on ratchet 14. The solenoid energization is only momentary but plate I3 is held in. its canted position by the pawl I8 engaging ratchet 14 on a lower tooth. Then, as roller 88 drops on cam face 86, the entire unit is lifted. The canting of plate 13 has already lifted shaft 11 so that sleeve 85 engages plate 84 so the general assembly lift .results in a counterclockwise motion of plate 1.3

If the wheel 5 is swinging a and pawl 10, and the consequent turning of ratchet 14 and taking up of a chain II. The same action may be accomplished manually through 44 and is operated when the bracket 45 advances against it, in advancing the stock 43. Switch 89 is mounted on the swinging frame I2 and. is operated by engagement with a portion of the body upright 3, as the frame I2 swings inward in the progression of the cutting action between the cutting wheel and the work. The cutting wheel drive motor 4 is preferably controlled by a separate, manually operated switch but may be included in the shut-off circuit of switches 80 and 89, if desired.

Figures and 11 illustrate the speed changing device of this invention, as applied to the speed of rotation of the cuttingwheel, which may be mounted on the machine illustrated in the previous figures. As the wheel wears down to smaller diameters the cutting speed would normally be reduced, but, with the device of Figures 10 and 11, as the cutting of the stock progresses, that is, as the frame I2 swings inward, the speed of rotation of the cutting wheel is progressively increased, in compensation for the peripheral speed reduction of the cuttlngwheel, due to wear.

The pulley 9 is the drive pulley of the motor 4, as in Figure 1, and the pulley I0 is the cutter wheel pulley as in Figure 2. The speed change pulley unit 90 is mounted on the fixed body upright 3 of the machine on the left end thereof, as looking at Figure 1. The location of this pulley mechanism may readily be understood by noting its relation in Figures 10 and 11, to the pulleys 9 and I0 and the location of pulleys 9 and I0 in Figures 1 and 2.

The speed change pulley unit 90 is mounted on a fixed shaft 9I which is in turn mounted in the .machine body upright 3. The unit 90 comprises two arms, 92 and 93 mounted at right angles to each other, for pivotal movement together about the shaft 9I as a center, the change speed pulley 94 mounted on arm 92 by way of shaft 95, and a cam arm 96, angularly fixed to arm 93 by screws 91. Thus, thewhole unit 90 is pivotal as a body about the shaft 9I.

The speed change pulley 94 is a double pulley, of the V type, with outer side bodies 98 and 99 secured for rotation togetherby a set screw I00. A central, idler pulley body IOI is mounted between the side bodies 98 and 99, for sliding movement from one to the other. The V belt I02 from the motor pulley 9 engages the side pulley body 98 and one side of the idler IN, and the V belt I03 to the cutter wheel pulley I0 engages the side pulley body 99 and the other side of the idler shaft 95 towards the pulley body 99, narrowingthe space between the idler IM and the pulley body 99 so that the cutter wheel pulley belt I03 is forced radially outward on the faces of the pulley bodies IM and 99. The pulley 94 effectively is increased in diameteras regardsbelt I04, and it follows that the speed of the cutter pulley I0 is, accordingly increased.

The gravitational fall of the pulley 94 is governed by the action of cam arm I04. Cam arm I04 is pivotally mounted on ashaft I05 which is secured to the cutter wheel swing frame I2. A spring I06 is mounted on the shaft I05 and bears against the cam arm I04 to frictionally restrain the arm with respect to pivotal movement about the shaft I05.

A cam control rod I01 has one end plvotally mounted in the cam arm I04 and the other end' slidably extending through a portion of the machine body fixed upright 3 with adjustable nuts I09 and I09 threaded on the rod I01 on opposite sides of the upright portion to limit the sliding is inserted into the holder I2 and operation of the With this arrangement, downward gravital holder l2.

machine is initiated, the earns 96 and I04, Figure 10, controlling the speed changer 94 are adjusted so as to provide a relatively low speed of operation for the pulley I0 and the cutter wheel. During the initial period of operation, the cutter wheel holder I2 moves cyclically toward and away from the stationary frame portion 3 as the cutter wheel makes successive cuts in the stock. The cam I04 and rod I01 partake of this cyclic movement but do not move relative to the holder I2 as a result of the lost motion provided betweenv the nuts I09, I09 and the stationary frame portion 3. The cam I04 is further maintained in a fixed position with respect to the frame I2 by the pressure of spring I06. The cam surfaces IIO, II I are so shaped that the speed control cam 96 is not moved so long as cam I04 remains in the described fixed position with respect to the support I2. As a re- As the diameter of the cutter *wheel is reduced by wear to a sufficient extent to prevent complete severance of the stock, the circuit of Figure 9 is actuated thereby energizing solenoid 61, Figure 8, and shifting the cutter Wheel holder I2 toward the stock. As a result, the portion of the support I2 shown in Figure 10 shifts toward the stationary frame portion 3, this shifting movement be.- ing superimposed upon the normal cyclic movement of the support with respect to the frame.

The lost motion between the nuts I08, I09 and the frame 3 is sufficient to permit the normal cyclic movement of the support I2 and rod I01 but not the shifting movement just described. Accordingly, the rod I01 moves leftwardly, Figure 10, with respect to the holder I2 responsive to engagement of the nut I09 with the frame, this leftward movement compensating for the shifting movement of the holder I2 toward the frame. This causes the cam I04 to move in a counterclockwise direction, Figure 10, about its axis I05 to a new position in which it is retained by the pressure of the spring I06. The cam I04 remains fixed in this new position until a further shifting ter wheel, this increase in speed compensating I for the reduced diameter of the wheel caused by wear. Each time the solenoid 61 is actuated responsive to a. further decrease in diameter of the wheel, the holder I2 is shifted toward the stationary frame portion 3 with resultant counterclockwise rotation of cam I04 and actuation of the speed changer 94 to thereby cause a compensating increase in the speed of the wheel.

In Figure 12, the alternate testing and adjusting circuit and mechanism is similar to that shown in Figure 9, previously described herein. A contactor IIZ'ln the 110 volt line operates a switch H3, closing a 220 volt line switch H3 and the solenoid H4 pushes a rod I I5 up to turn plate 13 clockwise, causing pawl 16 to drop back to the next tooth on the ratchet wheel 14. As the plate 13 moves bodily downward in the continued operation of the machine, it contacts a fixed post H6 and is thus caused to turn counterclockwise with the consequent turning of the ratchet wheel 14. This action adjusts the swing of the cutter wheel, as previously described herein.

Many variations of this machine may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and the particular machine and its details have been described simply by way of illustration.

What is claimed is:

1. In an automatic machine for cutting stock, a support for the stock, a holder, a cutter wheel mounted in said holder, means for cyclically moving the cutter wheel toward and away from the support to thereby form a cut in the stock during each cycle, means for advancing the stock a predetermined distance along the support after each cut, an adjusting device for decreasing the distance between the cutter wheel and the stock independently of said cyclic movement, and means responsive to the penetration of the stock by said cutter wheel for operating said adjusting device.

2. In anautomatic machine for cutting stock, a support for the stock, a holder, a cutter wheel mounted in said holder, means for cyclically effecting relative movement between. the cutter wheel and the support to thereby form a cut in the stock during each cycle, means for advancing the stock a predetermined distance along the support after each cut, an adjusting device for shifting the cutter wheel toward the stock independently of said cyclic movement, and means responsive to the penetration of said stock by said cutter wheel for operating said adjusting device to move the cutter wheel toward the stock when the latter is not completely severed during the cutting cycle, thereby to compensate for a decrease in the diameter of the cutter wheel due to wear.

3. In an automatic machine for cutting stock, a support for the stock, a holder for a. cutter wheel, a cutter wheel mounted in said holder, a pair of guides mounted, respectively, on opposite sides of the cutter wheel and having opposed plane surfaces closely spaced to the cutter wheel to maintain it in proper cutting alignment, means for cyclically moving the cutter wheel toward and away from the support in a path defined by said guides to thereby form a cut in the stock durin each cycle, means for advancing the stock a pre-- determined distance along the support after each cut, an adjusting device for decreasing the distance between the cutter wheel and the stock independently of said cyclic movement, and means responsive to the penetration of the stock by said cutter wheel for operating said adjusting device.

4. In an automatic machine for cutting stock which is formed of conductive material, a support for the stock, a holder, a cutter wheel of insulativematerial mounted in said holder, means for cyclically effecting relative movement between the cutter wheel and the support to thereby periodically make a cut in the stock, means operable during each cycle to connect the stock in an electrical circuit, said circuit being open if the stock is completely severed by the insulative cutter wheel. said circuit being closed if the cutter wheel has not severed the stock, and a control device responsive to the closure of said circuit.

5. In an automatic machine for cutting stock which is formed of conductive material, a support for the stock, a holder, a cutter wheel of insulative material mounted in said holder, means for cyclically effecting relative movement between the cutter wheel and the support to thereby cut the stock, means operable during each cycle to connect the stock in an electrical circuit, said circuit being open if the stock is completely severed by the insulative cutter wheel, said circuit being closed if the cutter wheel has not severed the stock as a result of a decrease in diameter of said wheel due to wear, and means responsive to the closure of said circuit to shift the cutter wheel holder toward the support.

6. In an automatic machine for cutting stock which is formed of conductive material, a support for the stock, a holder, a cutter wheel of insulative material mounted in said holder, means for cyclically effecting relative movement between the cutter wheel and the support to thereby cut the stock, each cycle consisting of a cutting period, a polishing period during which the wheel rotates in contact with the cut surfaces of the stock, and a return period, means operable during each cycle to momentarily connect the stock in an electrical circuit a short interval before the end of the cutting period, said circuit bein open if the stock is completely severed by the insulative 1 cutting wheel, said circuit being closed if the cutter wheel has not severed the stock, and means responsive to the closure of said circuit to shift the cutter wheel holder toward the stock.

7. In an automatic machine for cutting stock which is formed of conductive material, a frame, a support for the stock secured to said frame, a holder pivotally mounted on said frame, a cutter wheel of insulative material mounted in said holder, means for elTecting cyclical movement of the cutter wheel holder about its pivot to thereby periodically force the cutter wheel into engagement with the stock, a ratchet and pawl device for effecting intermittent movement of the cutter wheel holder about said pivot, a solenoid for operating said ratchet and pawl device, and means operable during each cycle to connect the stock in an electrical circuit which includes said solenoid, said circuit being open if the stock is completely severed by the insulative cutter wheel.

' said circuit being closed if the cutter wheel has erated to shift the cutter wheel holder about said pivlgt and move the cutter wheel closer to the sup- 8. In an automatic machine for cutting stock, a support for the stock, a releasable clamp for holding the stock on said support with a portion thereof projecting beyond said support, an arm for supporting the projecting end of the stock. a holder for a cutter wheel, a cutter wheel mounted on said holder, means for effecting relative movement between the cutter wheel and the stock to thereby sever said projecting end, said cutter wheel remaining in contact with the cut surfaces after the stock has been severed to thereby polish said out surfaces, said arm being effective to support the severed end of the stock during the polishing operation, and means for moving said arm to eject the severed end of the stock after the polishing operation has been completed.

9. In an automatic machine for cutting stock, a support for the stock, a stop, means for urging the stock against the stop, a releasable clamp for holding the tock on said support with a portion thereof protruding beyond said support, an arm for supporting the protruding portion of the stock, a holder for a cutter wheel, a cutter wheel mounted on said holder, means for effecting relative movement between the cutter wheel and the stockv to thereby sever said protruding portion, said cutter wheel remaining in contactwith the cut surfaces after the stock has been severed to thereby polish said surfaces, said arm being effective to support the severed end of the stock during the polishing operation, and means for moving said arm to eject the severed end of the stock after the polishing operation has been completed, the removal of the said severed end permitting anew section of the stock to be urged into position against said stop.

10. In an automatic machine for cutting stock, a support for the stock, a holder for a cutter wheel, a cutter wheel mounted in said holder, means for effecting relative movement between the cutter wheel and the support to thereby out said stock, an electric motor for operating the cutter machine, and a control circuit for said electric motor including a pair of switches, either of which is effective to open said circuit, one of said switches being operable when less than a predetermined amount of stock is disposed upon said support, the other of said switches being operable when the cutter wheel is worn away to less than a predetermined diameter.

11. In an automatic machine for cutting stock, a support for the stock, a stop, a member adapted to urge the stock against the stop, a holder for a cutter wheel, a cutter wheel journaled in said holder, means for effecting relative motion between the cutter wheel and the support to thereby cut said stock, an electric motor for operating the cutter machine, and a control circuit for said electric motor including a pair of switches, either of which is effective to open said circuit, one of said switches being operable by said member when less than a predetermined amount of stock is disposed upon said support. the other of said switches being disposed on the cutter wheel holder, ,said other switch being operable when the cutter wheel is worn away to .less than a predetermined diameter.

12. In an automatic machine for cutting stock, a support for the stock, a holder, a cutter wheel io mounted in said holder, means for cyclically effecting relative movement between the cutter wheel and the stock to periodically make a cut in the stock, adjusting means for shifting the cutter wheel toward the stock independently of said cyclic movement, an electric circuit responsive to the penetration of said stock by said cutter wheel for controlling the energization of said adjusting means, said circuit energizing said adjusting means to shift the cutter wheel toward the stock when the stock is not completely severed during the cutting cycle, thereby to compensate for a decrease in the diameter of the cutter wheel dueto wear.

13. In an automatic machine for cutting stock, a support for the stock, a holder, a cutter wheel mounted in said holder, means for cyclically eflecting relative movement between the cutter wheel and the stock to periodically make a cut in the stock, means for moving the stock a predetermined distance along said support after each cut, adjusting means for shifting the cutter wheel toward the stock independently of said cyclic movement, an electric circuit responsive to the penetration of said stock by said cutter wheel for controlling the energization of said adjusting means, said circuit energizing said adjusting means to shift the cutter wheel toward the stock when the stock is not completely severed during the cutting cycle, thereby to compensate for a decrease in the diameter of the cutter wheel due to wear.

14. In an automatic machine for cutting stock which is formed of conductive material, a support for the stock, a holder, a cutter wheel of insulative material mounted in said holder, means for cyclically effecting relative movement between the cutter wheel and the stock to periodically cut the stock, means for moving the stock a predetermined distance along the support after each cut, means operable during each cycle to connect the stock in an electrical circuit, said circuit being open if the stock is completely severed by the insulative cutter wheel, said circuit being closed if the cutter wheel has not severed the stock as a result of a decrease in diameter of said wheel due to wear, and means responsive to the close of said circuit to shift the cutter wheel holder toward the stock.

HARRY DAHL. ERNEST WILLIAM HUEBNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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